59th Grand National Roadster Show - Grand Opening - Expanded For Web

It doesn't seem like much-seven buildings and a whole three days to get around them all, plus outdoor vendors and what should have been two days of outdoor cruise-in show cars, though torrential downpours on Sunday stopped all but the most hardy car owners. But, man, there's never enough time to see everything, and while we journos like to talk as we go 'round shooting pictures, we also get the privilege of being in those buildings after the public and exhibitors have left for the evening. How do you think we get all those shots with no people in them?

No, there's never enough time to truly examine every car there, which surely means the promoters are doing a great job of entertaining the spectators. And, there's something for everyone, too, from the contenders for the America's Most Beautiful Roadster trophy to lowriders, from musclecars to the traditional rod and custom entrants in the Suede Palace. Then, there's the pinstriping auction, opportunities to meet George Barris, Billy Gibbons, the cast of American Graffiti, Russ Mitchell of Exile Cycles, and more, as well as bands and a pinup contest in the Suede Palace.

2/63The Jalopy Shoppe brought out Rodrigo Magallones' in-progress '31 coupe. The frame will be painted black, but the bare-metal body will be finished with a coat of clear. The '53 Studebaker engine had most spectators fooled.

But, the cars are the main draw, of course, and, for readers of R&C, probably the most exciting car on display was the freshly restored Ala Kart, which won the AMBR trophy exactly 50 years previous. Roy Brizio Street Rods did an outstanding job bringing back this iconic roadster pickup, and, as if one Barris-built original wasn't enough, the restored Aztec '55 Chevy and Sam Barris' '49 Merc were also on display. A short walk away, in Building 5, you could find Bill Hines, with a couple of his creations, namely the restored Buddha Buggy and his El Camino.

Despite being a popular choice to take the 9-1/2-foot-tall trophy, the Ala Kart didn't score its third AMBR title (personally speaking, it was a shame, as so many of those involved with this car 50 years ago are still around, but perhaps its history went against it). It did win Outstanding Paint and the Blackie Gejeian Award of Excellence, though. In the end, the one that had all the right checks on the judges' forms and took the big trophy and title was Rudy Necoechea's '32 roadster (although we couldn't find a '32 Ford part on it), built by Scott's Hot Rods.

We all have our own opinions when it comes to the big winners, and I guess that's one of the things that keeps us coming back. We know we'll be there next year.